A Brief History

I thought I'd take a moment to tell you about the mutts I currently own.  Like with any good story, character development is crucial for a good understanding - so without further adieu (from largest to smallest):

Ginny (yes, my husband and I are Harry Potter nerds) is an 80lb chocolate lab.  We adopted her last year when she was 7.  At the time of adoption, she weighed 100+ lbs and was covered in scabs and skin growths due to food allergies.   Despite the fact that she had to heave and it was a struggle to stand up - she loved to walk.  She was exhausted easily and when she wasn't walking or eating, she slept.  She didn't play or ask for attention, she just moped (we affectionately call her Eeyore to this day).  But, in a matter of a few short months full of lots of walks and wheat-free food, she made a turn around even we didn't expect.  She now jumps, hikes, and runs at full speed after ropes and tennis balls for hours on end.

Strummer (named for The Clash lead singer, Joe Strummer) is a svelte 3-year-old 65lb boxer mix.  He may also be lab, pit, Rhodesian ridgeback, or who knows what - we adopted him last year at the same time we adopted Ginny.  He is a happy-go-lucky and highly energetic dog.  He loves to play chase and will pester any other dog by gently poking them with his nose until they get irritated and chase him off.  The madder the other dog gets, the funnier he thinks it is.  Strummer also likes to be held upside down like a baby.  In terms of personality - he and I are very much a like.  We are 'doers' or 'a-types' and the kind of creatures who prefer to ask forgiveness than permission for the sake of a good time.  He is also a klutz - he runs into doors, people, and walls like he's a ball in a pinball game.

Karma (so we could say, "Good Karma" or "Bad bad Karma") is a 6-year-old chihuahua and dachshund mix.  She is timid and weary of strangers, but once she opens up to you, you might as well be t-bone steak because she won't leave you alone.  She is the demure 'belle' of the group who gently reminds you to pet her by sticking her nose under your hand and lifting it gently.  She also loves to walk for the sake of walking and surprises me regularly by how far her short little legs can carry her.

Last but not least is Pepe, our 8-year-old chihuahua mix.  Pepe and Karma we adopted from our vet's office - another elderly client of his brought them in after his wife passed away.  Stricken with grief - he asked out vet to euthanize them to which our vet replied that he couldn't do that but would put them up for adoption and ensure they went to a new home together.  It is a good thing - because not many things in this world understand Pepe, and Karma is one of them.  Pepe is, well, cantankerous.  We believe he is chihuahua and min-pin with a little twist of Tasmanian devil.  I call him Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because one moment he acts as if he wants to bite your face off and the next he is all snuggles.  He also loves to play tug with Stummer (who is, quite literally, 10 times Pepe's size) - but the good natured Strummer makes him feel good by just hanging on to one end of the rope instead of sending him across the room.

So that's my crew.  The only other animal worth mentioning is my husband, John.  He has the biggest heart of anyone I know which can make discipline and boundaries tricky with so many cute faces.  We're making it though!